I have worked in aged care and would hate to do it through an agency. The work is very hard when you don't know the residents and routines, plus you could be sent anywhere.

I would recommend going directly to a couple of aged care residences and trying to organise work through one of those. It is quite likely you will do a placement in first year in aged care, and they might be keen to hire you after that.

I would not be giving up your current job, because the work may not come quickly.

Have you tried looking at your local hospital? The hospital I work at employs AIN's for IPS (watching scheduled patients) and on the rehab and aged care wards.As pp said, agency work in aged care is a tough gig.

I have worked in aged care and would hate to do it through an agency. The work is very hard when you don't know the residents and routines, plus you could be sent anywhere.

I would recommend going directly to a couple of aged care residences and trying to organise work through one of those. It is quite likely you will do a placement in first year in aged care, and they might be keen to hire you after that.

I would not be giving up your current job, because the work may not come quickly.

Yes agree with this. I did agency work in aged care for 2 years, and whilst I loved the work, the way I was treated at some of the facilities I went to by the other staff until I had been there a few times was atrocious. I am currently studying nursing fulltime, but work casually for one nursing home, and I do 3 - 4 shifts a fortnight. I have 3 permanent shifts, and can pick up extra shifts as needed or if my study load lessens. I much prefer this than agency.Also an agency will not put you on their books until you have experience. The agency I work for requested cert 3 aged care and 6 months on the job experience. You are probably better waiting until you have done your aged care placement, and then seeing if you can get a casual position out of that.

thanks everyone. i was speaking to a friend today and the are opening a new rehab section at our local hospital and are wanting AIN's. this will happen mid year so i will be more ready i think.i dont think doing the agency stuff will be very good for me as i have the 5 kids and studying. i just dont think it will fit in.

TooManyToys - I am in Melbourne. I know many recent graduates who worked in Aged Care during their degree. We don't really have AINs in Victoria (I think mostly Qld), but you can certainly work as a PCA. Hospitals do not employ PCAs, but you might be able to get work as a PSA (more cleaning, food delivery etc) or a ward clerk (admin mostly).

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